Focusing On The Future!

The Columbia School District Board of Education, teachers, administrators, staff, students and community members have been collaborating over the course of the past year to create a new strategic plan to facilitate movement towards an increased level of excellence.  As a baseline, our mission ensures that the Columbia School District will provide a high quality education and a variety of opportunities to empower students to achieve success.  

The 2023 - 2028 strategic plan identified areas of importance to continue moving us towards increased success.  We are in the initial phase of our journey, and we look forward to continuing to  work in partnership with all sectors of our community to implement our goals. The strategic goals will pave the way for the Columbia School District to achieve our vision, mission and beliefs.  

• The Columbia School District will improve positive relations within the community by providing accurate, timely and transparent information.

• Columbia School District will maintain and improve facilities that enhance learning opportunities for students and build relationships with the community.

• Columbia School District will update curriculum to increase student achievement and provide opportunities to build life skills.

• Columbia School District will create a culture that welcomes student, teacher and community engagement to provide a nurturing and safe environment.

• Columbia School District will make staffing decisions that ensure appropriate levels of support based on student and staff needs.

As we continue to move forward with our implementation of the strategic plan we look towards an improved academic environment for our students.  The Columbia School District strategic planning process will bring increased clarity, confidence, and productivity to our educational environment.  Our focus is to bring a greater alignment and deeper understanding of common educational priorities.  As we collaborate, we look forward to continuing to pave the way to excellence and success.

Planning for the Future at Columbia School District

In partnership with the community, the Columbia School District developed a Strategic Plan encompassing 2023 to 2028. The strategic plan is a living document.  It will serve as a road map to future planning, resource allocation, staff development and decision-making over the next several years.  Planning participants helped shape the vision for the future of our district.  We are excited about this plan and the possibilities it provides for our students, parents, guardians, and community to continuously improve education at our District.  

Throughout the planning process the community expressed high expectations of Columbia School District, reflecting the strong desire to embrace academic excellence and continue to maintain high standards through sustained improvement.  

There were several clear and consistent beliefs that emerged from this process.

1. Innovative and diverse learning opportunities inspire students to become lifelong learners.

2. A nurturing and safe environment is essential to meet the needs of all learners.

3. Our school district is the cornerstone of our community.

4. The community is an important partner in the educational process.

Our strategic planning team collaborated and operationalized the beliefs into a mission statement to help guide the community for the next five years.  The mission statement establishes, in broadest terms, the purpose of the school district. The Mission statement: 

• The Columbia School District will provide high quality education and a variety of opportunities to empower students to achieve success.  

The vision of the Columbia School District defines in a succinct group of words what will inspire our district to move forward. It’s a statement about our hopes and expectations for the future.  The Vision statement is: 

• Empowering Learners. Achieving Success.

The Columbia School District strategic plan is based on qualitative and quantitative data.  This planning process is focusing on integrating the strategic planning outcomes with the Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP).  Regular monitoring of our progress will be critical to the success of the plan. The Columbia School District strategic planning process will result in improved clarity, confidence, and productivity. The strategic planning process will result in greater alignment and deeper understanding of common priorities. As we collaborate, we look to forward to continuing to pave the way to excellence and success.

Change of Seasons

 

As I rounded the corner, there it was a beautiful mix of colors and sizes of plants.  At the edge of the road grew bright yellow goldenrods, immediately behind them was a bunch of wheat grass just beginning to turn brown, standing tall behind them was a group of reeds and cattails.  That scene was only three weeks ago.  This week, the goldenrods were gone and the wheat grass had withered.  The bright spot in the landscape was of course the trees! 

As I rounded the same corner and cruised up the hill the brightly colored leaves were peaking over the edge of the road, lightly waving in the fall breeze.  Each day as I drove up that same incline I notice the trees becoming more vibrant with their leaves almost leaping off of their branches, bursting with color!

Just as the seasons change the colors of the leaves and the scenery around us, so has the passage of time changed the way schools are funded and the amount of funding received from the state. In November 1978 Michigan voters approved the so-called Headlee Amendment which was considered earth-shaking tax reform in those days. 

 In March of 1994, state voters approved school-finance reform legislation (Proposal A), which replaced local property taxes with state level taxes, principally the sales tax. Proposal A revamped how schools would be funded and also provided educational reforms. Proposal A promised a minimum per pupil foundation allowance, more equity among local school districts, lower property taxes, and more school accountability.  Proposal A dramatically decreased the amount of property taxes paid by Michigan residents and limited future increases.

Property is now classified as homestead and non-homestead. Homestead property is considered to be a Michigan resident’s home. Business property, rental housing, and vacation homes are considered to be non-homestead property. Property that is not a homestead and not qualified agricultural property can be assessed up to an additional 18 mills for local school operating purposes.

 Currently those who have business property, rental housing, and vacation homes that are classified as non-homestead are paying 18 mills for local school operating purposes.  On Tuesday, November 8^th Columbia School District will have an operating millage proposal on the ballot.  The proposal will allow the Columbia School District to continue to levy the statutory rate of not exceed 18 mills for non-homestead property tax.  Please remember that this renewal does not apply to a Michigan principal residence (your principal home) or qualified agricultural property.  Passage of this operating millage proposal is required for Columbia School District to receive the full $9,150 per pupil foundation allowance, which funds the education of our students.  If you have any questions, please email pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 517.592.6641.

Options High School & Adult Education Graduation

 Keys, keys, keys.  We all have keys to various things; cars, the house, and the office. In education, the academic environment is one of the main keys to a successful experience for students.  The Columbia School District Class of 2022 has taken a key step towards a successful future by completing their high school requirements and graduating.  On Thursday, Columbia Options High School and Columbia Adult Education had 17 students graduate, and on Friday, Columbia Central High School had 86 seniors successfully graduate from high school. 

Columbia students were given the opportunity to work with their teacher mentors to improve their academic skills.  The teachers, administrators and staff members have developed a partnership with parents to benefit the students and set them on a pathway to success.  For Columbia students graduation is a time to reflect on their sacrifices and accomplishments, along with the confidence, enthusiasm, and focus for their future.

We are so thankful for our 2022 graduates.  They have given so much to the community and have left their imprints on the hearts and minds of their fellow students and teachers.  They have triumphed through adversity, first when they were sophomores and school shut down in March, then again as juniors they had the opportunity succeed online when schools were closed due to the pandemic.  Although they faced a great amount of adversity, but have continued being successful, earning many scholarships as they graduated from high school.  They have been a blessing to the Columbia School District and the Irish Hills area. 

Our graduates have benefited from a positive, caring, and nurturing learning environment.  Our fabulous teachers have given our graduates the key to a successful future.  Please join me in congratulating the Class of 2022!  For more information about Columbia School District, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Reading is Important

Research shows that children who read as little as 30 minutes per day will become good readers.  They may read magazines, newspapers, comic books, or books.  By paying attention and giving reading a prominent place in our lives, your child will benefit and that advantage will last a lifetime.  Being a good reader gives your child an opportunity to excel in school and at work.  Encourage your child to read each and every day.

Initially you may want to read aloud with your child.  You will want to begin reading to your child when they are an infant.  Your calm voice will soothe your child.  Many children enjoy having their parent read to them.  Begin by reading for as little as 10 minutes.  Children can listen to books that they are not able to read.  By listening, they will increase their vocabulary and benefit from various subject matters.  As they grow and mature, they may want to begin reading portions of the book. 

For most of us our television has a prominent place in our homes, but books are on out of the way shelves or hidden in cabinets or under end tables.  Help your child learn to appreciate reading by setting up an assigned reading time when the family may read together.  Give your child the gift of reading by setting up a personal book shelf for them.  The book shelf doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but it gives them an opportunity to select a book from their interesting collection during reading time.

Set a schedule to go to the library.  Setting aside time to visit the library and check out books will help your child develop a powerful reading habit.  While you are at the library with your child, make sure you choose a book for yourself.  This way you set a good example for your child!

Columbia School District teachers place an element of importance on reading.  Your child may bring home books or e-readers that they contain assigned reading.  Make sure they are working on their reading assignments, this will greatly benefit them both in life and in school.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia Schools, call me at 5175926641 or email Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org .

Students Soar at Columbia!

Educating the whole student at Columbia School District is a result of our community working in partnership.  Teaching our students takes more than simply having them memorize facts.  The Columbia School District family believes that real education gives children an opportunity to discover.  They discover their talents, skills and interests.  Our students discover how to learn, so they may become life-long learners!

Our students find that the key to their success comes from the nurturing and caring teachers at Columbia.  Our extensive list of Advanced Placement courses, Early College options, electives and solid academic classes at the secondary level and enriching academic activities and specials at the elementary level help our students to pursue their interests as they grow and mature in to the next leaders for our community.

At a time when many districts have cut art and music, Columbia offers music and art to all of our students Kindergarten through 12^th grade.  Our elementary students are enjoying learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the STEM exploratory.  These special enriching activities help develop our students in to successful adults.  In addition, the offering of various levels of physical education at each grade level, along with elementary recess periods, helps to keep our students active and healthy. 

Our students have excellent opportunities to take college classes through the Jackson County Early/Middle College.  By participating in college courses while at Columbia Central High School, our students gain valuable experience and increased levels of confidence.  Many of our students are able to graduate with enough college credits to get them started off as a sophomore or junior at their chosen university.  The Early/Middle College offers our Golden Eagle students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree by taking college courses through their 13^th year.

Our Columbia students soar as they learn today, and become leaders tomorrow!  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia, check out our website at myeagles.org, email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Dedicated Columbia Teacher: Mr. Politowicz

As we approach American Education Week, which is the week prior to Thanksgiving, Columbia School District is celebrating our hard working teachers and staff members.

Jacob Politowicz is a science teacher at Columbia Central Jr – Sr. High School.  Mr. and Mrs. Liebau nominated Mr. Politowicz as an amazing teacher.  They said that, “Jacob brings kindness and care into his classroom on a daily basis.  He has dedicated so much time to his new classes.”

The Libeau’s commented that Mr. Politowicz has taught their daughter for the past three years.  They continued by saying that they are so thankful that she has had such a positive and strong role model in school.  They exclaimed that “she truly loves his class.”  As parents, the Libeau’s said that they know their daughter loves science because Mr. Politowicz has such a growth mindset and strives to create engaging activities.

Mr. Politowicz is in his fourth year teaching at Columbia and appreciates the learning environment at Columbia Central.  He said that, “Columbia is such a welcoming community!”  He continued by saying that, “I've gained friends and amazing coworkers. Administration and other teachers are always willing to go out of their way to help and are always there for other teachers and the students.”  Mr. Politowicz mentioned that he appreciated all of the “opportunities for me as a teacher to grow and perfect my craft, along with all of the opportunities for students to strive and achieve greatness!” He continued talking about teaching science and said, “I enjoy the opportunity to teach at multiple levels watching kids grow and mature over their years at CC.”

In addition to Columbia Central Jr. – Sr. High School students who appreciate Mr. Politowicz, his JV volleyball players have learned a lot about sportsmanship and grit from their coach.  Mr. Politowicz said, “I love to coach! It is an amazing chance to build strong relationships and see the students in a different light then school normally offers.”  

The caring teachers at Columbia are amazing and make a difference for all students. Columbia teachers nurture and educate our children for a successful future, by focusing on learning and relationships.  Our passionate teachers are dedicated top-notch educators and genuinely care about students.  Columbia School District continues to lead the way in Jackson County, from preschool and Early 5’s through high school and adult education; Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow.  Visit us at myeagles.org.